The good news: We are growing. Buddy-to-Buddy has served nearly 5,000 service members and veterans since program inception in 2009 and our volunteer corps is over 100 strong.

The challenge: We have been struggling to provide continued support to all of our volunteers in geographically diverse areas. To meet this challenge, we have not only added Program Social Worker Adam Jando to our staff in Ann Arbor, but we have also developed a plan to inject a layer of leadership into your regions.

Photo Credit: Sgt. Angelica

﻿Golindano (TRADOC)

Unlike the Regional Coordinator Program of the past, we have developed a plan to divide the state into 10 regions, with a senior leader in each. Internally dubbed “Platoon Sergeants,” these senior leaders will be responsible for:

Mentorship of volunteers, to include training reminders, course corrections, and introduction to key local and state resources

Troubleshooting when volunteers reach an impasse, and providing guidance on how to set expectations on where and how we can help

Training, including providing guidance on how to connect successfully when assigned to an armory to work with National Guard and Reserve service members

Communication, including relaying information back to program staff who can then offer more targeted support to volunteers

What you can expect is greater individual and small group support (each “platoon” includes 10-15 volunteers). The program staff remain available to you, but this adds a seasoned volunteer into the mix who can provide you guidance.

This program goes live March 1, and many of you will start to get phone calls and/or e-mails from your PSGs at that time. We have identified 5 of the 10 we need, and we appreciate your patience until we get the balance trained.

Maps and more detail are forthcoming! We’re all looking forward to a stronger network with the addition of these experienced leaders in your communities as we do the good work of supporting our military brothers and sisters.

Thanks for your continued service,

Kate Melcher

Program Manager

Volunteer Veteran of the Month

Ryan Kenerson was our January 2018 Volunteer of the Month! Feeling a void and lack of purpose after leaving the military, Ryan was looking for a way to help others when he found out about Buddy-to-Buddy and decided to apply to become a volunteer. Since training into B2B in April 2017, Ryan has been a very thorough and proactive volunteer, going out of his way to make sure the veterans he assists are connected to all of the resources they need. Read more about Ryan...

New Volunteers

We are thrilled to welcome these new Volunteers to our team this month!

Matthew Reader

Army Veteran, Jackson

Anthony Terry

Navy Veteran, Ypsilanti

Month in Review | January 2018

January referrals:

Top interaction log submitters in January:

Steve Alguire - 17

Cliff Tholen - 16

John Snyder - 7

Landon Dupee - 6

Jon Luker - 6

Most events attended and logged in January:

Bruce Binns - 2

Alflonse VanHese - 2

Thank you for taking the time to submit your logs and using the website to communicate with us. These submissions are key in helping us continue to serve Michigan’s veterans.

2017 Year in Review

Did you know that the average length of time B2B volunteers served in the military was 8.3 years, and the average length of service as a program volunteer is 3.1 years? All of this and more is included in our 2017 Year in Review! Check it out...

This Month's Training Anniversaries

The following volunteers are celebrating their training anniversaries with the program this month:

Six Years!

Mike Thorne

Five Years

Cliff Tholen

Four Years

Jerry Otten

Valeria Shipp

Three Years

Scott Hamel

Two Years

Adam Dunn

Adam Obanjoko

One Year

Mike Thompson

Thank you for your service!

Welcome to Adam Jando

We welcome Adam Jando, LMSW to our staff as our new Program Social Worker. Adam will support the volunteer corps through facilitating weekly support calls, serving as the program’s primary point of contact for mental health issues and emergencies that may arise, and being available for assistance with complex situations. Feel free to contact him at (734) 998-5826 or ajando@med.umich.edu.

RSVP to the Volunteer Recognition Event!

Please join us for the annual Volunteer Recognition Event at the Yankee Air Museum in Belleville on Saturday, April 7 at 5:30 pm. It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy each other’s company, share stories, get to know the staff, and take pride in the success of the program. Our keynote speaker this year is COL Andrew Roman, Chief of Staff, Michigan Army National Guard.It is definitely one of the highlights of the year and we hope you will attend! RSVP today...

Need Any New Program Supplies? Let Us Know!

If you are running low on program supplies, such as business cards, brochures, or other documents, please contact Jamie Majer at (734) 998-5825 or jmajer@umich.edu and the supplies will be ordered and sent to you as soon as possible.

Program Merchandise for Sale

Don't forget that we have men's and women's hoodies, vests, and long sleeve shirts for sale! Visit Ivy Promotion’s websiteto purchase B2B merchandise and support the program, as a percentage of sales goes directly toward program sustainment. If you’d like assistance placing your order, please call Jamie Majer here at B2B, (734) 998-5825, and she will complete the order form with you.

Interested in Representing Buddy-to-Buddy at an Event?

Would you like to represent Buddy-to-Buddy at a veteran-focused event in your community? Do you know of an event that you think someone from Buddy-to-Buddy should attend? If so, contact Outreach Coordinator Nathan Cross at crossna@umich.eduor (734) 998-5827.

Volunteer Mark Lindke with former B2B staff members Sierra Sharpe (left) and Mallory Mareski (right) at the annual Army vs. Navy Wheelchair Basketball game in Ann Arbor